Woman Unbroken by Alexandra Fleder
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
What a beautifully tragic story. The story of Deborah’s journey. The writing is so emotional and powerful. I love them the characters. The emotions really take you on a roller coaster. I really couldn’t put this story down. A definite must read.
Wild Lavender by Nicole E. Kelleher
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I was immediately attracted to Wild Lavender because of the beautiful cover. I was really surprised by how much I was captivated by the story right from the start. Aubrianne, or Anna as she likes to be called, a strong, independent, warrior of a woman from Chevlain, was married in an arranged marriage to Lord Roger of Stolweg, in a marriage that was supposed to be mutually beneficial. Roger provided lumber/aid that Chevlain needed, and Aubrianne brought the amazing Chevlain horses for a breeding program. Little did anyone know what a cruel, manipulative, abusive man that was Lord Roger. Definitely look up your trigger warnings if your a sensitive reader before starting this book. Lord Roger ended up doing unspeakably cruel things to Anna, the people of Stolweg, and her family. The book really progressed for me once Anna starts plotting how to save herself and become the warrior she has always been, and when Larkin entered the picture. This was a very enjoyable story.
Wondogfilled: Look, a Dog! The story for children who love dogs between the ages of 0-8. A perfect addition to home and classroom libraries. by Dr. Kimberlie Harris
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
If you have ever had it spent time around a toddler who has hyperfixated on something you will absolutely laugh your way through this book on your first read! Then go read it with your kids! Our little boy is in love with dogs, to the point that squirrels and elephants are dogs to him. But his mommy just keeps being silly and calling them by other names! This is a super cute book for littles and absolutely represents a toddlers mind!
Killer Blonde by Allan Evans
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I loved the thrill of cat and mouse during this read! Had my full attention and I needed answers. Every time I tried putting the book down I was picking it right back up, because I needed to know how it ends. Serial killers, thrill of the chase, dual POV’s…I loved it all. And you do not want to be a blonde on this book, I promise you that. If you want a great crime/psychological thriller, this book is for you.
Killer Smile by Allan Evans
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Absolutely loved this book! Had me on the edge of my seat the entire time and I couldn’t put it down. I love psychological thrillers! Serial killers. All of it. The author did such an incredible job with description it was like I was watching a movie. Book is definitely one of my favorites now! READ THIS!
Devil’s Claw: Logan Book 3 by Valerie Davisson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Devil’s Claw
By: Valerie Davisson
I am truly enjoying the Logan McKenna Series. Each book seems to just keep getting better than the last. In each of these books, Logan finds herself deep in a mystery. Each mystery also seems to focus on a social issue or topic. In this case the book focused on sea otters and their rescue. This was a very interesting topic to intertwine in a mystery and I absolutely loved it. I loved how greed was the center of this tale and between that and the sea otters and I definitely did not want to put this book down. Valerie Davisson is a fantastic author who is able to create informative mysteries that have a great pace. She makes it almost impossible to put the book down because you want to find out what will happen next. I will most definitely be reading the next Logan McKenna book because I have loved the first three so very much!
Liar, Liar by Winter Austin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Liar, Liar
By: Winter Austin
Once again, Winter Austin delivers an amazing story filled with suspense that will keep you reading late into the night. Winter Austin is one of my favorite authors due to the fact that she writes believable stories filled with well developed characters. Each of these characters is flawed in a way that is believable and you find yourself invested in the characters as well as the plot line. Each book can be read as a standalone, however, I recommend reading each one because there is backstory on the characters that definitely develops throughout the earlier books. Book 4 focuses on Sheriff Hamilton. He was hoping to have some quiet time to himself, however, a body that was discovered has different plans. Liza is an FBI agent who is following a suspect who is taking her back to Eider. Eider is somewhere she’d rather not be. However, she finds herself entangled with this body that was discovered. As she works on the case with Sheriff Hamilton, she realizes there might be something else worth returning to Eider for. I definitely enjoyed this story and truly recommend it as I do all Winter Austin books! I cannot wait to see what will happen next with the cast of characters in Eider, Iowa.
Wild Lavender by Nicole E. Kelleher
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
**trigger warning** Lord Roger is a pompous jerk who thinks he can get what he wants, when he wants, and however he wants it. He saw his arranged marriage to our lovely Aubrianne as nothing more than a business deal that would give him whatever he wanted. I was almost in tears when I read what happened on their wedding night. She deserves so much better, and he never in his life could ever deserve her fiery spirit.
Aubrianne is a beautiful wild spirit. She breeds, tames, and cares for the horses that someday become used for war and the guard. She’s one of a kind. The type that can provide what most others can’t.
This is one of those lordship books. Like you get to see how things are behind the scenes in the workings of the court and nobility. It has a fantastical side of it as well that draws you in, and it makes you wonder what’s coming next and what it all means.
Faking the Fall by Libby Kay
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Faking the Fall
By: Libby Kay
This is the fourth book in the Buckeye Falls Series by Libby Kay. This book has a setting of the wonderful small town of Buckeye Falls. Buckeye Falls has all the charm of a small town but also all the downsides of a small town as well. Including the local gossip and everyone knowing everyone else’s business. That’s where this book picks up. Alice is the talk of the town, she has always had a wild streak and that leaves all the neighbors talking. And if she ever wanted to forget anything she has done, she can forget about it because everyone loves to remind her. She is returning to Buckeye Falls after some time away and is ready to become a more mature version of herself. James is an artist who has definitely hit a bit of a dry spell. As fate would have the two of them cross paths and sparks fly. One thing that Libby Kay does is create a charming romance that definitely has charming small town vibes. I love that each book focuses on its own couple so they function as a standalone but there is some overlap because they take place in the same town. I have read each and every one and I hope there is more to come from this series!
Truck was a fireman, while on duty he was caught in a burning building that almost ended his life. Spiritually that is, he can’t ride, he can’t work, all was lost. Until help was sent to him. He is angry and wants nobody around. Allie volunteers to go see him. To be his friend, to give him reasons to come back to the MC.He is scarred and broken. But Allie does all she can to motivate him. So that is all you get, no spoilers. Because this story is a romance of a different kind. One that will keep you glued to the story. I recommend you read the series in order. The author has once again impressed me with her writing. The story is a fast paced rollercoaster of emotions. I loved it, it’s well written and easily keeps you reading. I look forward to the next in this series.
Review@cinful
Wild Lavender by Nicole E. Kelleher
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
TW: Rape/Domestic Violence. The first instalment of Nicole E. Kelleher’s Heart & Hand series, Wild Lavender, follows Anna who is married to Lord Roger but secretly in love with a man she had a moment with years prior, Larkin. The story focuses on Anna’s point of view but offers a few other perspectives as well. It is mainly Anna’s story focused on action, with her meeting Larkin again at the halfway point of the story. Anna is a strong main character and her relationship with Larkin has a level of understanding that you don’t always see in romance books. My favourite character was Anna and my least favourite character was Roger. I recommend this book because it has a slow start but a really interesting second half, a strong female lead, and a romance to root for. I also like the map of the fantasy world! “Neither of you should change for the other. Bend, yes. But not change. Besides, nothing is ever hopeless where love is concerned.”
Beyond Friendship by Marlyn Love
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Beyond Friendship
By: Marilyn Love
This is the first book I have read by Marilyn Love. However, it is the third in the series. It definitely reads as a standalone as I completely understood what was going on and hadn’t read any of the previous books. That being said, I am definitely going back and reading them now. Because Marilyn Love has wonderful character development skills and knows how to write a romance that keeps you on the edge of your seat. I loved Amanda and Brian and their incredibly complicated relationship. It has the best friend’s little sister element but it also has the irresistible elements of absolutely unbelievable chemistry. This book is absolutely wonderful and I recommend it to everyone. The characters are absolutely amazing!
Faking the Fall by Libby Kay
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is the fourth book in this series. It’s a standalone but I recommend reading the series as the characters appear in other books. A very sweet read with a “Hallmark” feel. It has great characters and world building.
Wild Lavender by Nicole E. Kelleher
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Wild Lavender: A Fated Love Fantasy Romance (Heart & Hand Series Book 1)
Every now and again a cover catches my eye and I cannot refuse it when it calls to me. Not always lucky with the book, but I was for sure this time.
This was a tough time to live in, especiallyfor women. Women were treated like property, had to do what the fathers or husbands say without a fight. I wouldn’t have survived it. My mouth would have gotten me into trouble a lot.
I was hooked from the beginning. I will wake up at night sometimes and have a hard time going back to sleep like last night, I will read for a bit until I start getting tired. That plan backfired on me this morning. Instead of a few chapters I ended reading at least a quarter of it, forced myself to put it down since I had a busy morning and needed to function.
Worth every second of sleep I lost.
This Book 1 of three.It’s set in medieval times when women were considered property at one point. Lady Aubrianne entered into a marriage thinking that it was filled with love. However she soon finds out that her husband (Lord Rogers) is nothing like what she was hoping for. There is another man name Lark, who meet Lady Aubrianne a while ago and Lark hasn’t forgotten about her and that night. Lark is hoping to get Roger charged with treason and murder, which helps him gain Lady A’s trust again. Can Lark keep her safe from Lord Roger or not? Read to find out more….
SAFE HARBOR: Logan Book 5 by Valerie Davisson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
A skillfully written crime novel with a lot of attention to detail, Safe Harbor is the fifth in the Logan McKenna mystery series.
Logan, is on vacation along the pacific coast of Oregon with her family, which includes her boy friend and her daughter’s family. As they enjoy the scenic Oregon and all the attractions it has to offer, a murder occurs in a small town, and Logan gets caught into it as one of the suspects. And then she finds herself dragged into the investigation. The book is just not a mystery, but it also deals with the themes of forgiveness, healing, family, love and community.
This is my first of the books in the series, I had to dig a bit about the characters, but the plot could be read standalone. I enjoyed this mystery.
Chasing Cheer by Heather Schneider
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Holly Claus has an enormous job, filling her Cheer meter to keep the North Pole lit. She travels the world looking for locations that are overflowing with Cheer. When she happens upon Emerald Hollow, she finds the quaint little town is a Cheer magnet. She fills her monthly quota in a single day! Holly decides to find out what is so different about this town and why there’s so much cheer. This is a cute, romantic story about love and the magic of Christmas.
Review by Terri Jo McAllister
View all my reviews
Wild Lavender by Nicole E. Kelleher
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is the first book I have read from Nicole Kelleher and I really enjoyed it. Wild Lavender is the first book in this series. I was hooked from the first chapter. I loved Anna’s character and how strong she was. Lord Roger reminded me of my ex so he was easy to hate haha. Larkin was easy to love too. I was cheering for them the whole time. I am absolutely ready to start book two!
Wild Lavender by Nicole E. Kelleher
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Such an amazing story! A period piece with some mythical runes to add in something magical. A love story with so many obstacles and so much working against them. Read this book if you like enticing characters, emotional plot twists, and love that just cannot be denied.
Saint Con by Seelie Kay
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is not my first book by this author but this is among my favorites. I enjoy her attention to details that make her stories realistic and hard to put down. This book is no different. A well written story about Jessica and the Con. When the Con turns up missing and then found in a coma. What happens next you don’t want to miss. I enjoyed how the characters pulled me into their world. They add so much to the story which makes it easy to read. They are strong, supportive characters that keep the story engaging to the end. I enjoyed watching their chemistry and growth throughout. A fast paced, entertaining story that is hard to put down. I really enjoyed reading this book. I highly recommend this story.
Revidew by @bjwagner
Spectral Revelations: A Karina Cardinal Mystery by Ellen Butler
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is a series that I have enjoyed reading from the first book. This is the sixth book which is just as great as the previous books. I highly suggest reading the previous books in this series to help your enhancement of the characters and this author’s writing skills. This is a well written story that is not only full of mystery but also hard to put down. Karina is back in another mystery but what happens when she has to call in recruitments and the clues are just not adding up. I enjoy Karina’s character. She is a strong character that makes the story easy to read. I enjoyed watching the growth of the characters and the plot throughout the story. I enjoyed how they brought the story to life on each page. I found this book to be fast paced and engaging. This is an entertaining story that I enjoyed reading. I highly recommend this book.
Review by @bjwagner
Woman Unbroken by Alexandra Fleder
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Woman Unbroken is an emotional story from start to finish and is a well written tale.
It is and inspirational story about Women’s empowerment.
Woman Unbroken is a heartbreaking and aching tale. It is an emotionally charged tale of shame, fear, hate, love, loss, guilt, hope, want, need, anger, embarrassment and forgiveness and so much more.
It is raw and broke my heart at times. It is full of pain, drama, angst, tension, suspense and a crushed and tormented soul.
Devorah has lived with pain and fear all her life but is now determined to take her life back and rewrite a new future.
Journey along as one woman who finally pulls herself out of the hell, she has been through to find a new her. One who comes through a terrifying time and can finally breathe again. It is about grieving the loss of oneself but coming out stronger than ever.
Reviewed by @jennadb
Woman Unbroken by Alexandra Fleder
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This for me was a very powerful and at times hard read because I related to so much of the story. Not the being famous part but the escaping from domestic abuse.
The author does an incredible job of allowing the reader an inside look into what actual happens to a person when they leave an abusive relationship. You are shown the pain, the fear, the loneliness, the inability to trust anyone or even have confidence in your own judgement. And the hardest part is having to rebuild your life and find yourself again after you were pretty much destroyed mentally and physically. The author dealt with this story in a way that was respectful but also allowing the reader to see that just because you leave the relationship doesn’t mean the trauma ends there. You lose so much of yourself during the time in a relationship like that, that the hardest part is rebuilding and finding yourself again.
Devorah Fields used to be a model and a young actress. Her family life wasn’t plain sailing however as her father was a movie producer and con artist and her mother was a British actress. To get away from the environment at home she jumped at the chance of marrying her husband. I mean what could go wrong. He was handsome and so caring. It was a match made in heaven.
Fast forward and Devorah’s father is in prison, her mother and left to return to England and her Prince charming turned out to be a monster.
She had finally find the strength and courage to leave him and has returned to her own family home. Now she has to figure out what she is going to do with her life. How is she going to support herself? How can she cope with the anxiety and fear of her ex husband finding her? And how can she rebuild her life when she lost so much of herself that she doesn’t even know who she is anymore.
This is a story about one woman’s journey to reclaim her life and to remember who she was and who she wants to become again. This was a very empowering story and for me personally I really enjoyed seeing Devorah’s journey to reclaim her life and find herself again.
Slay It With a Diamond by Rob Bates
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
4.5 stars
Slay It With a Diamond is the third book in The Diamond District Mystery Series. Even though this is the third book in the series you could easily read it as a standalone. I am coming in from the wrong end and didn’t realise it until the end so will have to go back and start with the first book.
It is a fun cosy mystery set in the heart of New York City’s Diamond District. Rob gives us an entertaining story which showcases his flawless knowledge and understanding of such a world.
Our journalist turned detective, well detective might be a stretch, amateur sleuth is a better description, finds herself smack dab in the middle of the dark and dangers cutthroat underworld of diamonds, curses, the rich and powerful, feuds, lies and secrets.
Mimi is an interesting character and I’m not really sure how to take her she is a mess really. She is naïve and jumps headfirst before thinking, thank God for her boyfriend is all I can say. I had mixed feeling about her at times and some of the other interesting and eclectic characters.
There is mystery, tension, suspense, sass, wit and humour that I found myself laughing at times and shaking my head at others.
It is a well-paced story that kept me guessing with enough twists and turns to keep the pages turning.
Overall, this is a fun and entertaining and informative tale.
I look forward to seeing what Rob brings next to the table.
Reviewed by @jennadb
Saint Con by Seelie Kay
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I was so excited to see Seeli Kay is back with another wonderful book Saint Con. Her work always packs a punch and I love her work, so I grabbed it and jumped right in.
This engaging story flowed seamlessly making it so easy to get lost in and become so engrossed in the journey that you lose all sense of time. The feelings Seelie’s writing evokes are strong and complexities keeps you on your toes and you are not sure what to expect next.
Saint Con is a quick, easy and nicely paced read and is full of danger and action, strong emotions, drama, thrills, tension, pain, suspense, hope, want, need and fear and lots, lots more. I love reading Seelie’s tales as she transports you to another place with her narrative and cleverly pulls all the threads of the plot together to make on explosive experience for the reader.
The characters are relatable and just brilliant making it hard to not become invested in them. They are strong and out to right wrongs and the injustices of the world.
Jessica thought she had finally found the one, but it seems fate has other plans. Or does it? Pulling up her big girl panties she takes it upon herself to find the truth even if it kills her. Can she find out what is going on before it is too late?
I won’t share too much as you have to experience it by yourself.
This might be my favourite book yet, and I know I’ve said that before, but Seelie keeps on raising the bar.
This is a fantastic book and as always, I look forward to more from Seelie.
Reviewed by @jennadb
Wondogfilled by Dr. Kimberlie Harris
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
5 Stars
Wondogfilled (Boys Unboxed) by Dr. Kimberlie Harris
Wondogfilled is a super fun yet cute children’s book that children 0-8 can enjoy. The illustrations are colorful and bring the story to life. This is a story about learning different animals and how not all animals are the same. Kingston and his mom like to take walks and Kingston loves dogs and easily recognizes them. But what will happen when a different animal is introduced? My five-year-old son loves dogs and loved reading this book and pointing out the different animals. I highly recommend reading this book. We look forward to reading more from this Author.
~ ~ ~ ~ BOOK SPOTLIGHT SHOWCASE ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
When self-proclaimed good girl Jessica Knight literally bumps into apparent bad boy Connor O’Brien in a suburban Milwaukee wine bar, she is skeptical—of his intentions and the prospect for real love. A former priest, Saint Con is now a street lawyer for Milwaukee’s homeless. After a night of sizzling romance, Jess begins to thaw, and in the days that follow, she is so charmed by Con that she allows herself to start falling in love. Unfortunately, on their first real date, Con fails to appear. Jess doesn’t know if she’s been ghosted or if Con was unavoidably detained, but she leaves their meeting spot devastated. Until she discovers that Con is missing. Really missing. The police won’t help because he’s not a vulnerable adult nor is there proof that he has been harmed. So, it falls to Jess and her friends to find him. After surmounting numerous obstacles, Con is finally found, gravely injured and in a coma. Suddenly, it appears a promising love match may be over before it really began.
Click here to view the Book Trailer for Saint Con by Seelie Kay
Award-winning author Seelie Kay writes about lawyers in love.
Writing under a nom de plume, the former lawyer and journalist draws her stories from more than 30 years in the legal world. Seelie’s creative pen has resulted in more than twenty tales of contemporary, erotic, and paranormal romance, and romantic suspense.
Seelie resides in a bucolic exurb outside Milwaukee, WI, where she enjoys opera, the Green Bay Packers, gourmet cooking, organic gardening, and an occasional bottle of red wine.
She is also an MS warrior and ruthlessly battles the disease on a daily basis.
Seelie can be found on most social media, including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. To subscribe to her newsletter, please visit https://rb.gy/w69pim.
BOOK SPOTLIGHT SHOWCASE 
Would you buy a “cursed” diamond? New York diamond dealer Max Rosen would. He doesn’t believe in curses. But that was before the wife of the famous jeweler who sold him a supposedly “cursed” gem ended up dead.
Soon, Max’s daughter-journalist-turned-amateur-sleuth Mimi Rosen-and her policeman boyfriend are drawn into the dark history of the jeweler’s powerful family.
The trail leads Mimi to their opulent mansion, where she uncovers long-buried scandals, a bitter family feud, plus surprising evidence the curse is real-and might kill her next. Fun and fast-paced, and filled with heart and humor, SLAY IT WITH A DIAMOND not only puts the diamond and jewelry industry under the microscope, but tackles the age-old question of why sparkly objects enchant us so.
Click here to view the Book Trailer for Slay It With a Diamond (Diamond District Mystery Book 3) by Rob Bates
Rob Bates has written about the diamond industry for three decades. He is currently the news director of JCK, the leading publication in the jewelry industry. There, he has won 12 editorial awards, and been quoted as an industry authority in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and on National Public Radio. He is also a comedy writer and performer, whose work has appeared on FuseTV, comedycentral.com, and Mcsweeneys. He lives in Manhattan with his wife and son.
*¨*✶*¨`* AUDIO BOOK SPOTLIGHT SHOWCASE *¨*✶*¨`*
Amidst the chaos and fear of an apocalyptic virus, a mother fights to protect her daughter from the rotting remains of society. Navigating a frightening new world where survival is paramount and trust is a gamble, infection is only a misstep away. Despite her doubts and imperfections, Amy’s love and resolve are without question. But are they enough? Can she shield her daughter from the violence and savagery, and keep them both alive another day? For, at the end of the world, there’s no second chance. With a single bite, necrosis will set in.
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~ BOOK SPOTLIGHT SHOWCASE ~ • • ~
Devorah Fields, a former teen actress and model, is hiding out from her estranged, abusive husband in her childhood home in the Malibu hills. With every odd creak, she fears the worst—her husband’s return.
Her father, a former Hollywood heavyweight turned con artist, is serving time in federal prison. Her mother, an English born actress, has fled to her home country out of shame and embarrassment.
All that remains is the family’s old house (the scene of Devorah’s chaotic upbringing), her precious cat Fergie, and a young stepmother who won’t stop calling.
Devorah is scared, lost and lonely. She’s also determined to revive the talented young woman she once was, but first, she must come to terms with the truth of her past and admit her greatest sin—that she’s abandoned herself.
Click here to experience a Chapter Reading of Woman Unbroken by Alexandra Fleder
Alexandra Fleder started her adult life as a Litigation Paralegal, however in the late months of the Pandemic, she abruptly quit her job after suffering from sudden burnout, that blindsiding occupational phenomenon that seems to plague the legal industry.
While recovering, she was guided to transform her grief and anger into poetry, and later, to finish and publish a novel she wrote in 2018—Woman Unbroken.
Today, she works as an energy healer and writer. She has previously published a poetry chapbook titled Crystal Woman (Bottlecap Press). She lives in Los Angeles with her blind cat, Ray Charles.